US employers in July hired the most workers in five months, but an increase in the jobless rate to 8.3% will probably keep expectations of additional monetary stimulus from the Federal Reserve intact.
Nonfarm payrolls rose 163,000 last month, the Labor Department said today, beating economists expectations for a 100,000 gain.
The report was dimmed somewhat by the increase in the jobless rate from 8.2% in June, even as more people gave up the search for work.
In addition, employment for May and June was revised to show 6,000 fewer jobs created than previously reported.
President Barack Obama has said although there is an increase, there is still a lot more work to be done.
The closely watched employment report comes two days after the US central bank sent a stronger signal that a new round of major support could be on the way if the faltering recovery does not pick up.
Most economists expect the Fed will launch a third round of bond purchases, possibly at its next policy meeting on September 12-13.
That is despite the approach of the US presidential and congressional elections in November, which could leave the central bank open to criticisms from Republicans who have made the weak economy a centerpiece of their campaigning.
The Fed has held interest rates close to zero for nearly four years and pumped about $2.3 trillion into the economy.
At the Fed's next meeting in September, policymakers will also have had a chance to see August's payrolls report.
The labor market slowed sharply after strong gains in the winter, spelling trouble for President Barack Obama.
A recent Ipsos/Thomson Reuters poll showed 36% of registered voters believe Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has a better plan for the economy, compared to 31% who had faith in Obama's policies.
The unemployment rate has been stuck above 8% for more than three years, the longest run since the Great Depression.
Fears of deep government spending cuts and higher taxes that are due to begin in early 2013 and fears that Europe's debt crisis could get worse have dissuaded employers from hiring, economists say.
Economists say the biggest factor weighing on sentiment is fear that politicians in Washington will be unable to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff at the turn of the year.
Data last week showed the economy grew at an annual pace of 1.5% in the second quarter, far short of the 2.5% rate needed to keep the unemployment rate stable.
The private sector again accounting for all the job gains, adding 172,000 new positions.
Government payrolls dropped by 9,000, as local governments laid off teachers.
Construction employment dipped 1,000, despite increases in home building.
Manufacturing payrolls increased 25,000, largely because of fewer layoffs in the auto sector as manufacturers kept production lines running during the month.
Within the vast services sector, employment gains were widespread. Temporary help services increased 14,100. Businesses are hiring temporary workers due to the uncertain outlook.
Hiring in the utility sector was restrained by a strike at a power firm in New York last month.
Average hourly earnings increased 2 cents last month, suggesting consumer spending will struggle regain steam after it slowed sharply in the second quarter.
The average work week was unchanged at 34.5 hours.
US service firms grew slightly faster in July
US service companies, which employ 90% of Americans, grew at a slightly faster pace in July.
The Institute for Supply Management says its index of non-manufacturing activity picked up slightly last month with a reading of 52.6.
That was a tiny improvement from June's reading of 52.1, which had been the lowest since January 2010.
Still, any reading above 50 indicates expansion. The service sector has now grown for 31 straight months.
In July, part of the strength came from a rise in the index component which tracks new orders.
Service companies include retail, construction, financial services, health care and hotels, among other industries.
